Help Please GS 10" Dob

[captain3081]

Could somebody please help me :ashamed: .

I picked up a 10" Dob from Andrews today. I know :doh: ... raining in Sydney. I consider this my contribution to the drought relief efforts...

Anyway, when assembling the base, I found I was missing the "bearing system" and "bearing system plate" as described in the limited instructions. It is supposed to go between the two chip board base plates.

Could someblody with the same dob confirm that I should have these two pieces. The base seems to be working without it. Should I take it back to Lee to swap it for a new one?

Much appreciated :thumbsup: .

[iceman]

I think they *are* the 2 chip board base plates?

Can you post a pic?

[captain3081]

That's what I thought Ice, but the instructions clearly shows a circular object similar to a wagon wheel, and another solid circular object, between the two base plates.

The instructions are very limited, just pictures, no step by step guide.

[davidpretorius]

i did not have one either, i believe the teflon is what is to be the bearing system. do not worry about it. it does show on the instructions, but it is not there!!

i have added a lazy susan bearing system to mine for $12, real smooth now, but a bugga in the wind.

eveything is ok.


now, how excited are you......well done....did you go the crayford....tell us all about it!!!!

i sound like a teenage girl finding out a fellow girlfriends exploits at the movies with a new boyfriend....

bugga it, what colour, did you get a right angled viewer... have you named her yet......

[ballaratdragons]

Hi Captain 10".

Even if you did get the funny looking thing like a Wagon Wheel we would all say "THROW IT AWAY".
It is a real pain to use and they should not include it with the scope! I can vouch for what David said above: the wind moves the scope with the dumb wagon wheel set-up.

There should be 3 teflon sliders on the base so it can slide around. I hope you got those at least. If not, just go to a hardware shop and buy a pack of 'Super-Sliders' and stick them on. You only need 3.

In my case the packet came with 4 so I placed one in the centre as a support.

[captain3081]

steady on there big guy :D

It is pissing down in sydney. so at the moment it is an expensive piece of metal

I got the deluxe, crayford etc. grey metal, black base

All I have managed to do is align the focuser. I used a distant electicity pole that was sort of visible.

I got the cross hair thing from Lee to help me collimate, but I have no idea what I am doing. I will wait till the images look like they should be better before I even attempt to collimate.

Thanks heaps for the quick replies to my query. If you don't have one, then I won't wory too much. Maybe it is only on the 12" base.

What was that thing that you said you have? Where did you get it from, and what is involved in setting it up?

[davidpretorius]

cmon captain, type faster, there are 7 members wanting to know what she is like.

[captain3081]

understood ballarat.

thanks

can't wait till tomorrow night. hopefully the rain should clear.

have already told the wife we are coming home early tomorrow night so I can play! She got excited until I explained what i meant:rofl:

[TidaLpHasE]

My 12" from Andrews didn't come with that either, so seems like you don't need it.

Hope you are happy with your new toy.:thumbsup:

[davidpretorius]

pic 1 is a 610mm wide 44 gallon drum mover and pics is a lazy susan

Mick Pinner can source the drum mover if you need to help roll around the dob (no good on grass) and most engineering shops / bearing shops will have the 12" lazy susan.

Keep in mind i will be driving this with motors, so i need a very smooth frictionless surface, the down side for hand moving, is that it is very touchy!!!

[captain3081]

cool. I will master hand motion before I attempt that sort of setup

[asimov]

:rofl: Starting this thread Cap'n reminds me of a bit of fresh horse dung in the middle of a paddock & watching the flies POUNCE on it! :rofl: Lets call this forum: DOBinspace! I'm an EQ owner, so I better skedadle outa this thread now! :whistle: Good viewing to you Captain! :thumbsup:

[ballaratdragons]

Captain, here are the SuperSliders if you don't have the teflon pads. See this link.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=1959&highlight=super+sliders

[davidpretorius]

asimov, you are dead right!!!! great call!!!

[asimov]

Gonna start up my OWN EQ club right here on EQinspace!! (in an obscure/dark corner where no one go's?) Asimovs underground secret taboo EQ club!

[ballaratdragons]

Will it support EQual rights? :rofl:

[asimov]

:rofl: :rofl: DON'T say ANYTHING Asimov!! Got it!? :rofl:

[davidpretorius]

will you have topless waitresses, quick honey i need some money to buy an eq!!!

It is good to see the captain has gone out in the rain to get some moon shots thru the clouds! well done

captain , when you come back in, where is you lovely wife sleeping tonight. it gets a bit cramped with a 1250mm long 10" wide monster under the sheets. and the scope too!

[ballaratdragons]

Your lucky it didn't.

My 12" came with it and it used to drive me bonkus.
Glad I ditched it and now use the slidey bits! :thumbsup:

[captain3081]

you guys kill me... you can't beat hand motion!

how do i change my name to Captain 10".... does anyone know how?

[asimov]

YES Ken & Dave! & also FREE series 5000s! What's that!? You already both own 5000s? oh! Don't worry, I'll come up with something to entice you to my new club! How bout cheap RA drives!??

[davidpretorius]

no, it is my wife's biggest joke at dinner with friends, do you know what my silly husband called himslef on the forum, where there are great names like acropolite, iceman, asimov, ballaratdragons?

does he call himself "raging comet" or "moon master" no he calls himself "davidpretorius"

what a dag!!!

i am sure mojo could hack the database and alter the username, but it might open the flood gates so to speak.


amyone notice how the mood of this forum skyrockets when there is new equipment for new members that we have helped get excited!!!

[captain3081]

cheer up dave. lucky i didn't wait till christmas when the new gs arrives. then i would have been captain 16"

[ballaratdragons]

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Dave, Stuart got his member name changed from something I can't remember to 'Beren'. No-one else asked for their name to be changed when that happened. You can only ask.

You could become 'Moon Vapours' or 'Misty' or even 'Lunar Tick'. :rofl:

[asimov]

In hindsight, I should have called myself something better than 'asimov'...now THATS daggy. Although Isaac Asimov is my fav sci-fi writer, & it's a tribute to him....

[ballaratdragons]

I was gonna change mine but I thought "everyone knows who I am, why change it". So I never asked to change it.

I like the name 'asimov'. Sounds Science-fictiony. :thumbsup:

[davidpretorius]

asimov rocks!!!

[asimov]

I'm off back to my secret EQ dungeon now before I get smacked up the ear by a moderator for being off topic!

[davidpretorius]

now, i started 2 hours ago trying to program the computer to compute alt / az from ra / dec for my location.

Do you think i have even started???

How do you think is the culprit for starting this thread?


Captain, it is all your fault, that i have dropped everything, the wife will come home and i will have to lie to her saying i was programming instead of doing the dishes. I am in deep....

Hey Captain..... can you take youe eyes off it yet.

What eyepieces did you get, series 500 or gs ones????

[ballaratdragons]

Yes John, those Spider Vains are tricky aren't they, especially on the GS 10" :D

EDIT: Oops, jokes on me, wrong thread! :doh:

Ummm, yeah those Super Sliders are terrific! :D

[Starkler]

moon master :rofl:

[asimov]

Yes indeed Ken! But how bout that slightly bent one, h.mmmm?

EDIT? naaa! :D

[asimov]

Come on Geoff! Change his ID to moon master! Do you have the 'power' to do that as a moderator?

[captain3081]

Dave

I am watching Forest Gump, watching this thread, and going outside in commercial breaks to look at her.... wow

I got the two GS 9mm and 25mm, GS 2" 26mm, and series 500 12.5mm and 30mm.

The 90deg finder was a must!

Sorry about the distraction. Why aren't you people in other states outside looking up? Is it raining everywhere?

[ballaratdragons]

Moon Master??? How about Crater Sludge :rofl: :cool:

[ballaratdragons]

I seen Forest Gump too many times. I'm watching Married with Children!!!

Hope your series 500's are OK.

Rain? Thunder and hail here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[asimov]

Actually, It's clear here for once!? But I'm having too much fun in here this evening to Care! The universe will wait I reckon..

[davidpretorius]

this a great thread, like the old hand drawn saturn ken, crater sludge, i like that.

well done captain, you got some gs eyepieces. is the 2" a superwide or ultra wide?

try and see when the weathe is better if you can pick any differences between the series 500 and the gs's

[asimov]

Hey Captain, I just spotted your new thingy 'captain 10"!!:rofl: Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I have a 12.5"! :thumbsup:

[davidpretorius]

yes 'a slightly out of shape, 12.5" blue nebula pumper' that can't be cooled down.


red hot!!!

[captain3081]

Not sure, the box says GSO SP26mm

I doubt I will notice the difference between series 500 and GS for a while.

[ballaratdragons]

Hehehe!

[captain3081]

asimov, i hear a 12" isn't as good. most of the time you couldn't be bothered with the hassle of getting it ready for action

My 10" will get much more use.... unlucky pal! :D

[davidpretorius]

ken, i have taken a screen shot, before we go to the naughty corner and the masterful saturn pic gets zapped!

[ballaratdragons]

Couldn't be bothered!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Only Takes me about 3 minutes to completely set up my 12"!!!!!!! then 5 minutes for cool-down using the fan, and lickity-split, I'm viewing in 8 minutes. 4 minutes if I don't wait for complete cool-down.

[davidpretorius]

captain, you have to see asimovs 12.5" nebula pumper, it is hand made beauty, hand made eq mount and the mirrors take 4 hours to cool. It is 6 foot long!!!!

yes you don't take it out much, but oh the views!!!!!

[asimov]

I said 12 POINT 5 inches man? 1/2" makes all the difference..:rolleyes: Besides, mine has better hand-motion! :D

[ballaratdragons]

Why would they zap it? It's pretty. :rofl:

[captain3081]

you got me asimov. thanks for the description dave

now i have telescope envy. i will need a red sports car now to make up for it

[ballaratdragons]

You won't fit much telescope into a red sportscar!

[davidpretorius]

mate, its a "big blue veined neb pumper"!!!!!

[asimov]

Seriously though, a 10" is a good size, specially as far as mobility is concerned! My tube alone weighs in at 37kg. The mount is a permanent fixture.

[davidpretorius]

ken, we have 7 hours before iceman hits the showers from imaging and jumps on the forum and zaps it arse!

[asimov]

Next on the project list is a darn ladder to reach the EP at zenith!

[ballaratdragons]

We are on topic though Dave (except the language).

GS 10" is a very good scope El Capatarny. You will LOVE the views.

[asimov]

Ahhh! Go away BOB! can't we have ANY fun?? :doh:

[iceman]

C'mon guys..

It's been a while since I've had to say anything about spamming.. don't get the new guy in trouble!

What irks me most is you know you were doing it but still didn't stop.

I'll move it to general chat so you can continue it without getting in trouble. There's only about 3 posts of equipment related stuff anyway.

[ving]

http://pcsurplusonline.com/feat/no_spam.gif

they need some spanking mike! ;)

sounds like kyou are very happy with your scope captain, when you get a chance some observing reports would be great :thumbsup:

[ballaratdragons]

Goes to show how carried away we get, I thought we WERE in general chat LOL!

Sorry Captain.

[captain3081]

I only had a few hours last night, very patchy dark cloud cover.

I managed a good view of the moon. Couldn't locate any nebs or galaxies (probably cause i still don't know what I'm doing).

Jupiter was not visible through the clouds.

How big should venus look though 9mm plossl without barlow? It wasn't really big enough to make out any shape or phase. The diffractions lines were dominant. (Don't know how to insert picture)

Will Jupiter be a decent size through a 9mm without a barlow?

I think I will return my 30mm, and swap it for a 6.5mm

I was a little disappointed with my first viewing.<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

[janoskiss]

The GS 2" 26mm probably has a bigger true field of view that the 30mm 500 (and you probably don't need the 25mm GS either.) But if you can swap one or both of them for different focal lengths, I would go for a 15 and/or 20mm. The 6.5mm will be too short on eye relief to be comfortable and you won't get much use out of it.

Jupiter is low in the sky right now so it won't take more magnification than 100x (what you get with your 12.5mm). Venus is very bright and you best catch it early just after sunset when it's still relatively high in the sky. Also the blue rather than black sky background at twilight may make it easier on the eye. You can also try the Moon filter on Venus.

[[1ponders]]

Keep your 30mm cap'n. You'll be glad you did when you finally find some faint fuzzies and nebs. Jupiter is not going to be looking its best atm as its only around 25 deg above the western horizon after the sun goes down. Lots of boiling atmosphere to look through.

I noticed you have "I got the two GS 9mm and 25mm, GS 2" 26mm, and series 500 12.5mm and 30mm." Now I'm not an eyepiece expert by a long shot (I like piccies).... but.... if you could swap the 12.5 mm for a 2X barlow your 25mm eyepiece will then double up as a 12.5mm eyepiece :D. You would effectively then have all your prime eyepieces as well as a 15, a 12.5, and a 4.5. Its not a perfect solution but it will give you the chance to use what eyepieces you have until you're better able to decide what it is you REALLY need and then start spending some big money to get some better quality eyepieces.

You might be interested in one of these 40mm (eye relief is too long for my liking) http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=4017 so with a barlow that wouuld add a 20mm to your quiver as well. Not trying to push 'em, just a thought.

[davidpretorius]

firstly, how did the focussing go with the moon, was it clear, the 9mm should have showed maybe turbulence like "heat waves"



The best nebula to cut your teeth on is Orion as you simply cant miss it. Very hard at the moment with the full moon, wait a few more days and you will start to see a big difference. I will be interested to see if you can see the milky way with the naked eye. If you can, then just following that along will give you great views thru any eyepiece.



Venus is very bright and without some filters i doubt you will see any details. Even the imaging guys have to work really really hard to get detail.



If you can catch it early enough in the evening, you may get to see the brown bands, but it is really too low now in the sky. Best to wait another month for saturn

Yes take it back, but the 6.5mm series 500 is amost useless. i have one, but hardly use it. It is hard to see thru (eye relief) I would either get money back, or as Janoskiss says, go the 15 or 20. When you get a barlow later, then that will turn the 12 into a 6 and the 15 into a 7mm.

You have picked the worst time of the month for viewing anything apart from the moon, but if you can get the moon into a sharp focus with all your eyepieces, then in a few weeks time hen there is no moon, look out!

[captain3081]

Thanks for the encouragment everyone. I feel like less of a loser now.

The moon was very sharp will all the EPs. With 9mm, there were heat waves. It was an awesome sight. I read that the full moon is the worst. Better to look at a crescent moon for more contrast. Can't wait.

I have never seen the milky way with my naked eye. My backyard is full of light pollution. Last night, after my eyes adjusted, the moon was like a big torch!

I just can't wait to get that wow! experience. My wife could tell I was a little disappointed last night. I didn't realise that the conditions would have such a big impact.

You have all restored my faith. I will try and be a little patient.

To clarify, is 12.5mm with 2x barlow better than 6.5mm in terms of eye relief and fov, or is it exactly the same?

[ving]

yeah, go practice forusing and such with the moon and some of the brighter stars. once the moons gone you'll be able to see a whole universe of objects :)

if you are getting a 6.5 go for the GSO, caue while mine gives good views of many objects i have heard too many bad reviews to recommend it. there are also some premium EPs for sale in this forum you might want to look at. dont be too afraid to buy second hand as most people look after thier gear really well :)

[ving]

better eye relief. but you need to get a good barlow like an orion shorty to retain viewing quality :)

[Starkler]

I used to own one of the 26mm GSO's and it was a shocker at f5.
Considering he already has a 12.5mm, the addition of a 15mm plus a good barlow gives two nice planetary magnifications. I dont know why GSO bundles a 9mm with these dobs IMO a 12mm would be much more useful :confused:

[janoskiss]

I'd have to disagree with Paul on using a barlowed 25mm instead of the 12.5mm. It won't be nowhere near as good, even through a good quality barlow. I know because I tried; uncomfortably sensitive to eye positioning, poorer contrast with noticable stray light and internal reflections.

As for the 30mm: compare the field of view of with that of the 2" 26mm. If the 30mm does not give you a wider field, then there is not much point keeping it.


The Moon will get out of the way before you know it and it is a great time of the year for deep sky. Galactic centre is approx straight up as soon as it starts getting dark.

[Starkler]

Theres a lot of confusion, but its the Orion Shorty-PLUS which is the good one. The Orion Shorty is just another cheap Chinese barlow of mediocre quality.

[janoskiss]

Uh! So that's another thing to consider... You be the judge Captain! Have fun!
:thumbsup:

[captain3081]

:doh:

Where there is choice there is no clarity. It's all too hard.

It seems I have a month or two before I will be wanting more magnification. I will assess the finances at that stage.

Doesn't anybody else have any work to do?

[[1ponders]]

That's alright Steve, disagree away :lol: I'll catch you once you platform mount and motorise that dob of yours and are looking for imaging gear :confuse3::D

[janoskiss]

No probs, Paul! Looking forward to it! :D

[Starkler]

I remember when Mars madness hit last time around, short focal length eyepieces and barlows couldnt be had for love nor money as the retailers were all out of stock :eek:

It pays to forward plan as just when you need something in a hurry, nobody seems to have any :(

P.S. Im having a day off :P

[davidpretorius]

captain, if the weather is nice over the next week, give me a quick bell.

i recommend http://www.skyviewcafe.com/skyview.php

set up your latitude and longitude, and you can a very good feel for what is around and when. it will make it great to find m8 (the lagoon nebula), m6 & m7 (clusters)

have a good play with this when the weather is bad and familiarise yourself with m6/m7/m8 patch of sky. stay small at the moment, so that you should be able to recognise this area nice and quickly. Remember that when you go to look thru the scope, everything will be upside down and back the front!

[ving]

D'oh! my bad :doh:

not a big fan of barlows anyhow. but then my one is a cheapie and i have none to compare it to. :poke:

and once the moon goes captian, pack your dobbie into a car and get yourself to some dark skies! :D
dark skies make a huge difference :D

[captain3081]

I use skyglobe and stellarium. Is it the same thing?

[davidpretorius]

skyview is an online one, but i have not tried those ones. i also now use starry night pro.

[janoskiss]

Stellarium is not much more than a toy at this stage, unfortunately. It looks great but it needs to include a lot more objects to be useful. Don't know about Skyglobe but it may also be lacking. I use Kstars and Xephem but these are Linux/Unix programs. Cartes du Ciel seems to be the one to get for Windows, if you want a more capable free planetarium program.

[Roger Davis]

See my article on Teflon pads and Armorall! Use Armorall and cure 80% of your woes, use Armourall and Ebony Star Formica and cure 99.9% of them! The central teflon pad eases the pressure on the outer pads and makes the rotation easier. If you don't have a central pivot pad, you can use milk bottle washers, or go to Bunnings and buy a couple of teflon plumbing washers. Clean your melamine bearing surface area with the Armourall then go observe.

[janoskiss]

Where can you get Ebony Star Formica without having to buy an entire kitchen?

[xstream]

You should be able to find a chippy with some off cuts Steve.
You may need to ring a couple but one is bound to have some.

[iceman]

Is that the common name "Ebony Star Formica"? Or will they answer you with silence? :)

[slice of heaven]

It's the name of that particular pattern/surface by Wilsonart.
No it is not "Formica" as that is another brand of laminate

[janoskiss]

It comes in two types, and apparently only one of them is good. I've seen a sample of one type at a furniture shop, but it looked too rough to make a good bearing surface. Maybe the other type is smooth. :shrug:

[slice of heaven]

Anyone with the small 8" dobs should try an LP record, I've found them to be the best choice of surface when used with teflon. The grooves of the LP virtually eliminate all 'Stiction' and give better movement than the Ebony star.
Larger scopes can be fitted with an LP , BUT a carrier bearing has to be fitted to the centre pivot to help with stability due to the smaller diameter of the LP.

[xstream]

I'll check with the father Inlaw next time I'm around at his place........He may well have some. If so I'll bring it to Ballarat

[slice of heaven]

The 'Rough' texture reduces the stiction by providing points for the teflon to ride on rather than a flat surface which will stick to the teflon.

[Roger Davis]

Ebony Star is available from most laminate suppliers. I purchased three for the jobs I had to do for aout $18 each. You can cut it yourself, but it can be messy. For a circle you'd need a blade on a radius arm.
Any other laminate with a similar pebbled texture will work well also.
Sorry I threw in the "Formica" before, force of an old habit, I apologise if I confused anyone. :confuse2:

[ausastronomer]

Steve,

Its actually the rough finish one that you need. Its made by Wilson Art in the USA the pattern you need is "ebony star" and the finish type is #7 which is "textured gloss". The rippled texture gives it the correct amount of "stiction" when used in conjunction with virgin teflon.

www.wilsonart.com

Go to the website, click on "homeowners" under "laminate", Then click on "products" towards the top then in the "pattern name" box select "ebony star" and you can see what it looks like.

I ordered mine through a friend who has a kitchen renovation company. It cost me $50 for a "1/2 sheet" which from memory was about 1.5 metres x 1.2 metres. There was certainly enough to do the bases for 2 or 3 medium to large scopes.

CS-John B